It's a long time since I flew on airplanes using an international student discount card and "student standby" prices.

Do airplane companies even still offer cheap last minute tickets to fill up an airplane these days? Have you flown standby with a cheaper airfare, and without paying thousands of extra dollars, won, or pounds?

How common is it these days? Do some companies release more tickets last minute than others?

It's a long time since I flew on airplanes using an international student discount card and "student standby" prices.

Do airplane companies even still offer cheap last minute tickets to fill up an airplane these days? Have you flown standby with a cheaper airfare, and without paying thousands of extra dollars, won, or pounds?

How common is it these days? Do some companies release more tickets last minute than others?

Due to the requirements for airlines (especially those flying to/over/in/through) US controlled airspace to pre-notify the US of their passenger lists the old standby of "Standby" is no longer an option on most airlines.

I don't know of anywhere where you can buy standby tickets anymore, but they still have standby flights. For example, if you get bumped because of overbooking, or if you have a long layover. In both cases you can request to be put on standby if another flight on same route is available.

I don't know of anywhere where you can buy standby tickets anymore, but they still have standby flights. For example, if you get bumped because of overbooking, or if you have a long layover. In both cases you can request to be put on standby if another flight on same route is available.

Last time I transferred through the states they absolutely had people at each airport who were on standby as they announced standby availability before each flight.

most busy international flights always overbook their flights due to cancellations, no shows, etc. there is often a standby list for these flights but it's not mandatory.

so when that happens they will normally move people in economy with status to business (a GREAT reason to have status with the three alliances) and then give those seats to the people on standby based on a list of almost arbitrary reasons.

Relatives of airline staff also fly standby. In the case of Korean Air they book in advance and pay about 10% of the fare then they go to the airport and hang out until check-in closes. If the flight fills up, they wait for the next one.

I've also changed my flight on a standby basis. I wanted to fly out that day but the flight was fully booked. I went to the airport and hoped that someone wouldn't show up, and luckily they didn't. Didn't go back to the idiot travel agent that screwed up my ticket in the first place though.

If you miss accidently miss your connecting flight across the ocean (let's say your flying from BKK to the USA) what happens? Something tells me you have to buy another ticket all together.

IF it is the airline's fault that you missed the connection then they will put you on the next available flight.

If it was YOUR fault then they will probably make you buy a replacement ticket (rather than board you on another flight at their expense) and MAY cancel the remaining sections of your previous ticket (return flights, etc.) due to missing a segment.